CBPP: SNAP Rolls Hit 17-Year Low, 5M+ Dropped Since OBBBA

TL;DR: SNAP participation reached its lowest level in 17 years in June 2026, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was enacted in July 2025, rolls have fallen by more than 5 million people, a 13% drop, including about 2 million children. CBPP says the decline is not driven primarily by an improving economy.

Key takeaway

SNAP enrollment is at a 17-year low, down more than 5 million people since OBBBA, including roughly 2 million children, CBPP reports.

What happened

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) reported that enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reached its lowest level in 17 years as of June 2026. The findings appeared in the Agri-Pulse Daybreak newsletter dated October 15, 2026.

According to CBPP, SNAP rolls have fallen by more than 5 million people since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was enacted in July 2025. That figure represents a 13% drop in total SNAP enrollment. About 2 million of those dropped are children.

CBPP states the decline does not appear to be driven primarily by improving economic conditions. In other words, the group attributes most of the drop to policy changes rather than to households no longer needing food assistance.

These numbers land as lawmakers continue to disagree over SNAP provisions. For background on how the nutrition title fits into the larger package, see our full bill summary and what's new vs. the 2018 Farm Bill.

What it means

A 17-year low in SNAP enrollment reshapes the stakes of the ongoing farm bill fight. The decline affects two groups directly: current and former recipients, and the states that administer the program.

• Former recipients: More than 5 million people have left the rolls since July 2025, including roughly 2 million children. CBPP's finding that the drop is not primarily economic suggests many left because of new eligibility or administrative rules rather than rising income.
• Children: The 2 million child figure raises the profile of nutrition access among families, a point advocates are expected to press during the Senate status negotiations.
• States: Shrinking rolls change the math on the SNAP cost-share dispute, the unresolved question of how much of the program's cost shifts to states.

The cost-share dispute is one of the items blocking Senate action on the farm bill. Republicans have proposed a one-year delay and Democrats a two-year delay on the new state cost-share requirements. Fewer enrollees change the dollar figures each side is arguing over. Our funding breakdown tracks how the nutrition title's costs are scored.

What's next

As of October 16, 2026, the SNAP cost-share dispute remains unresolved and continues to hold up Senate movement on the farm bill. The CBPP data is likely to feature in both the policy debate and the broader midterm affordability narrative.

Expect SNAP advocates to cite the 5 million decline and the 2 million child figure in arguments against further cuts, while supporters of OBBBA's changes are likely to point to lower enrollment as evidence the new rules are working as intended. Both positions are expected to surface as the Senate weighs its competing draft. Follow developments on our timeline and status page.

Whether the June 2026 figures mark a floor or continue falling is not yet clear. CBPP's report covers data through June, so later months are to be confirmed. Readers who want to weigh in can use our contact Congress tool.

Frequently asked questions

How many people have left SNAP since OBBBA was enacted?

More than 5 million people have left SNAP since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was enacted in July 2025, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. That is a 13% drop in total enrollment. About 2 million of those dropped from the rolls are children. CBPP reported the figures through June 2026.

Is SNAP enrollment really at a 17-year low?

Yes. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that SNAP participation reached its lowest level in 17 years as of June 2026. The finding was reported in the Agri-Pulse Daybreak newsletter dated October 15, 2026. CBPP says the decline does not appear to be driven primarily by improving economic conditions.

How many children have been dropped from SNAP?

Approximately 2 million children have been dropped from SNAP rolls since OBBBA was enacted in July 2025, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. That figure is part of a total decline of more than 5 million people, or 13% of enrollment, measured through June 2026.

Why is SNAP enrollment falling?

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities indicates the decline does not appear to be driven primarily by improving economic conditions. That suggests the drop is tied more to policy and administrative changes under OBBBA than to households no longer needing food assistance. Enrollment fell more than 5 million people, 13%, since July 2025.

How does this affect the farm bill debate?

The shrinking SNAP rolls change the stakes of the SNAP cost-share dispute that is blocking Senate farm bill action. Republicans have proposed a one-year delay and Democrats a two-year delay on new state cost-share rules. Fewer enrollees alter the dollar figures each side is debating and feed into the midterm affordability narrative.

Sources

• Agri-Pulse Daybreak , CBPP SNAP enrollment findings, dated 2026-10-15.